Working Online
Online Counselling
I understand how everyday life can get in the way of things we need most for ourselves. We can spend our days interacting with external things and look outside of ourselves for answers rather than connecting within. “How can we make time for counselling when there is already not enough hours in the day?” Looking in the mirror and choosing to explore within ourselves is the only way to find the answers to some of life’s most difficult questions. I am interested in learning more about the things that matter to you, as well as the people and things you value and care about.
Online, you can seek help and connect with others more readily. With online counselling, we have the flexibility to meet at any time that is convenient for us both. With online technology, you can choose your working location as well as choose your schedule. All that is needed is a private space to talk, a stable internet connection, and a device with a front-facing camera or webcam and microphone.
Using the jane.app you will have access to a secure client portal through which you can view and manage your upcoming appointments, and connect to your online appointments with me. Your account can be set up when you make your first booking and receive your welcome email.
30 minutes before a scheduled appointment, you will receive a reminder email with a “Begin” button at the bottom to connect you to the “waiting room” for our session. (You can also access the “Begin” button directly from the app.) At the agreed time, I will join you for our online appointment.
Online Counselling offers more choices and many potential benefits:
Online Counselling can be wherever you are in the United Kingdom. It could be in your home, your workplace, even in the car!
A greater choice of counsellors online, compared to being restricted by location.
Online Counselling may be more readily available than in person and often more flexible with scheduling.
You can simply conduct your sessions with me from the comfort of wherever you are - without potential problems caused by travel, bad weather, parking, distant location or mobility issues, and with no transport costs.
There is a significant time benefit of not having to travel.
If you are feeling low in mood or energy, you do not have to physically motivate yourself to attend sessions somewhere else.
There is no risk of being seen by others visiting a counselling practice and you do not need to be concerned about bumping into your counsellor in a social situation.
Confidentiality and peace of mind are provided by secure and encrypted online platforms.
Your own choice of location that is convenient for you and where you feel comfortable, safe, secure and private.
Wearing comfortable clothing might help you feel contained and “cuddled” in your own space, making you feel more at ease.
Talking and expressing yourself online may be easier for you.
Focus and concentration are generally enhanced when there are fewer visual distractions.
There are a variety of life challenges, such as childcare or the workplace that might hinder face-to-face counselling. It can be much easier to persevere and continue counselling and working together online.
Your support can continue, even if you frequently travel or work away from home.
According to research, online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy.
Things to consider
How comfortable are you with technology?
'Jane' or 'jane.app' When I initially discovered this software, my immediate response was, "How could I not utilise it?" and to avoid confusion with my name, I shall refer to it as jane.app. Jane.app is an all-in-one health and wellness practice management platform designed to be helpful. Available online and on any device, the jane.app secure client portal allows you to easily track your payments and sessions.
The online jane.app platform is a secure (encrypted) video conferencing system and virtually impossible for anyone to intercept and decrypt the video and/or audio transmission between two people. However, as with all forms of Internet communication, if someone has access to your jane.app login details or has installed a virus on your computer, then it is possible your jane.app transmissions can be compromised.
If you are using an iOS device (iPhone or iPad), you will be prompted to install the Jane Online Appointments App from the app store. You can visit the App Store Here to update the App. It is recommended to use Chrome on laptops, desktop computers, and Android devices for online appointments via jane.app. However, I strongly advise that you download Google Chrome and set it as your default browser ahead of our video call. It is worth checking your internet connection at fast.com. You will need a result of 15Mbps or higher.
It is important to keep your jane.app login details secure and private, and routinely check your computer system for viruses and trojans.
If you share a computer or mobile device, be sure you know who has access. Is it possible that your email is read by someone else, such as a family member?
It is best to keep in mind that if you work from home and use a phone, tablet, laptop, or computer provided by your employer for your sessions, they may be able to monitor your activities (i.e., the sites you visit).
To prevent unauthorised access to the equipment and software used, adequate password protection and data encryption are advised.
Online appointments (jane.app telehealth) are best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer. It provides a larger, more in-depth image or view that is more stable. Otherwise, use your smartphone or tablet.
It is recommended to consider the following ahead of time to reduce interruptions or distractions during a session:
Here are just a few ideas that might help
Check that your device is turned on and fully charged.
Keep track of when your device's updates are due, and make sure you are always up to date.
Close on your device any other programmes or digital notifications, such as email, social media, text messages, or pop-ups.
Place your device on a flat surface rather than holding it.
Check that the camera on your device is working and that your camera position is correct; the profile image should occupy the entire screen. Check that your microphone is working and that your levels are acceptable.
If not in use, remember to put your mobile on silent mode or turn it off.
It may be helpful to use headphones or earphones to improve sound quality and give a feeling of privacy.
How comfortable are you with working remotely?
According to research, online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. This is not to suggest there will not be challenges along the way. Working online might not be suitable for everyone and it will not be able to resolve every difficulty. If I thought a different type of help would be more appropriate for you, I would let you know and we could talk it through.
Within a therapeutic relationship, trust and connection can be created just as fully and authentically as when we work in person with a little more care and support. If this is a new experience for you, there may be a transition to online counselling. To help in building trust and creating a safe and confidential environment between us, you will need a suitable private space to communicate from. Somewhere in the house or at work where you will not be overheard, interrupted, or observed.
How comfortable are you when you see yourself on screen?
If you think this may be distracting, you can adjust the size and position of the view settings to hopefully meet your needs. When compared to face-to-face counselling, working remotely restricts what you and I see of each other, so some visual cues may be missed because we cannot see the entire person. To get around this limitation, I may ask additional questions about how you are feeling physically and emotionally during a session.
Please be mindful of miscommunication or misunderstandings
With online counselling, miscommunication can occur due to the absence of visual cues. Video chats may lack definition, and audio quality can be affected by internet connection. Please let me know immediately if you feel misunderstood or if there are issues with video freezing or my speech faltering. Patience may be needed for occasional requests for clarification.
Although it may be unfamiliar at first, setting aside some quiet time and space to process your emotions can become a healthy habit of self-care. In the fast-paced society of today, slowing down is a way of being. I encourage taking a 5-10 minute break at the end of each session. By pausing for a few moments, halting distraction and mental preoccupation, and feeling from within.
Pause, quiet your mind, and be powerfully present with any feelings of potential restlessness or overwhelm that may arise. Breathe deeply; close your eyes if you can; find comfort by focusing on your out-breath; and unwind as you exhale. Alternatively, perhaps consider shaking out parts of your body if you are feeling overstimulated. Similarly, this may be helpful if you find yourself feeling numb or lacking energy.
Spend some quality time in silence, noticing whatever body sensations and emotions are present, and allowing any feelings to be there. This can make room for exploring and recognising our vulnerabilities. It can raise our awareness and offer a way of reconnecting and restoring a deeper sense of self. You can benefit from calm surroundings. Sit, look out the window, listen to music, go outdoors, or take a walk before approaching people, whichever works best for you.
Having a backup plan can help reduce anxiety
Before we talk on the telephone for the first time, I ask clients for an emergency name, contact number, and GP information. Please ensure you have a good signal and that your device and mobile are charged beforehand.
Online counselling is technical in nature, and problems with the Internet may occur. When communicating via the online jane.app platform and the meeting ends unexpectedly, we experience a disruption to the Internet, or our connection is interrupted, a telephone session may be used in its place. I will call you on the mobile number you have provided to conduct the session.
If you do not attend the session within 15 minutes of the start time, I will text you before I end the session to see if you are joining or not. You are responsible for coming to your session on time; if you are late, your appointment will still need to end on time. Because it is your time and space, I hold you in mind whether you attend or not.
